So, folks, Edmonton it is. This being decided because of the economy, and really nothing else. Both places had an immense amount of things to offer, both are truly beautiful, and both are places I've always wanted to move to...so it was a really tough decision. Ultimately, we had to look at the fact that the US is going downhill everywhere, and we couldn't know for sure that we wouldn't just wind up in the same situation somewhere alse...and it just wasn't worth the risk.
The good thing about Edmonton...Danny's dad is an electrician, has been living there his entire adult life, and thus has many good connections for Danny to quickly find work. Work might start out being something where he helps out in the oilsands projects up in Ft. MacMurray (sp?) where he'd be staying up there during the week and home on the weekends...which wouldn't be ideal, but it'd be work, and earn us a lot of money in a short amount of time. If nothing else fails, he'd at least easily have that. Given that he's a citizen, he'd probably be able to start work right away, so that's good.
There is definitely a bittersweet aspect to this move, though. Moving away from my dad will be really difficult. I've talked to him about it, and let him know of our move, and talked to a couple other people thus far (we don't have a huge web of friends here, or anything, so there aren't many people to say goodbye to), and to hear the pain in their voices (which, for a couple people has manifested in anger) has been very hard. The fact is, we wouldn't be doing it if our survival was so seriously in jeopardy.
We talked to Em's teacher today, and he let us know that the final testing for their final marks will be happening the first two weeks of May, and he asked that we stay for that, so we let him know we would. That's definitely a huge priority for us...being sure she's able to close out her year. He was very sad to hear of her leaving the school, as he's really loved being her teacher, but he understood the situation.
Aside from those things, we're really excited. I won't miss many things about living here. I'll miss the ocean, and I'll miss my dad and my sister (who I'm still trying to get a hold of...she's so busy, it takes a couple days to get a hold of her). But the 15yrs I've been living here have been no party, for several reasons. I've had the unfortunate experience of living in places that were much more beautiful and friendly ...so the desert and concrete jungle of Southern California was a really disappointing thing for me when I moved here with my mother and sister. This isn't to mention the general attitude of the people that live here. Most people that live here have a very "everyone for themselves" kind of attitude. Help is very scarse, any kind of governmental help is VERY hard to come by, and people are, in general, incredibly self-focused. I won't miss the drivers, the traffic, the impatient people. But I will miss my dad and my sister...and the ability to see either of them pretty much on a moment's notice. I'll miss being able to see Jesse every year because she comes to San Diego. I've been crying about those things, because, though we leave behind few people...they are people that mean a lot to us.
But...we're looking at the bright side of things...and keeping our spirits up.
![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
After all, we're leaving a MOTEL!! WOO!!!
I'll keep y'all posted as far as how things are going, and such. I'm not sure if my FIL has internet, but if he doesn't, we'll get it set up pretty quickly when we get there. It'll be at least three weeks before we leave (and I think that's really ALL it'll be), so we have time to plan (though not much, it's still time, lol). I'm thankful we have a bit of time.
Hugs to everyone!